Connector



CONNECTOR Filed June 3 1921 Patented Pela. 2.7?

v truce il leftist .ne fr vii ver .of i?" al .li 3 (ha fin.: e.

PAUL L. VAE/BLE, OF CARRLLTON, LLNQIS.

CQNNECTOB'.

Application filed June l,V

To c/Z who/1a 'it may con-cera.'

Be it known that l, PAUL L. VAnnLn, a citizen ot the United States, residing` at Carrolltoinin the county oil Greene and State ot llli-nois, have invented certain new and uselul Improvements in Connectors, ot which the following is a specitication. reference being had `to ythc .accompanying drawings.

'vlhis invention relates to certain improvements in connectors and has relation more particularly to a device o1 this general character especially designed and adapted tor use in connection with terminals ot various members such as non skid chains for tires and the lilrefand it is an object of the invention to provide a device ot this genera-l character lravingnovel and improved means whereby the tension created by the members with which the connector is employed serves to maintain thesame in working position.

Another object oit the invention is to provide a novel and improved device ot this character comprising two members connected together for relative swinging movement, each of said members being provided with means for engagement with the terminal or" the member, the pivotal connection between the members being to one side of the center of tension imposed upon the device by the members to which the 'connector is applied;

Furthermore it is an object ot the invention-to provide a novel and improved device ot this general character' comprising two members associated in .a manner whereby the `pull imposed thereon when the devicey is in applied position continues to maintain the members of the device in closed or working relation land wherein said members are so constructed to be eiiectively protected against interference by mud -or other foreign matter. f

The invention consist-s in the details o construction and in the combination and .arrangement ol1 the several parts et my improved connector whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous tor use, as-will be vhereinafter more fully set'torth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter loe-definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the betten-understood l. will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings. wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation illus- Serial No. 474,152.

trating a connector constructed in accordance with Aan embodiment ot my invention and in working adjustment,

Figure ,2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Figure l,

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the device herein embodied with the members in open or separated relation.

Figure is a view in bottom plan of the device as illustrated in *Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a. view in side elevation showing the members in partly folded or compacted relation.

vFigure (E is a sectional view through the connectorl at a point through the pinched end ojt the keel showing how the lever may be engaged between the sides ot `the keeper to raise the keeper from vits closed position. f

My improved ydevice as herein disclosed, comprises two members, A and B, the member A constituting a female memberand the men'iber B constituting a male member. rlhe member A comprises a pair of spaced side plates l having` similar or top edges integrally connected, .as at 2, by an intermediate web, said web connecting the central portion ci' the plates l. rlhe .marginal portions of the plates l outwardly at one end of the connecting` web 2 are'pressed together, as at to provide a portion adapted to be gripped by a pair of pliers or other suitable-implement to facilitate the relative movement ot the members fr and B. Each of the side plates l oli the member t is provided .wjtha substant'ally arcuate slot 1l, the slot lotone plate beingsubstantially in register or coincidence with the slot of the second plate. The slot e is substantially entirely to one side oit the pivotal connection 5 between the members A and B, as will hereinafter be more particularly kreferred to, and the bow or" said slot entends inwardly oiQ the plate.

Each oi1 'the plates l in its 'free longitudinal marginal portion is provided with an entrance opening or slot (i in communication with the slot fl: or' the plate. said slot G as herein disclosed beingin relative close proximity to the end: of the slot Il remote irom the pivotal connection 5. The slots (i3 ot the plates l are also subsl'fantiallyin register' or coincidence. v. i

The male member B is lot arlength greater than the length ot the vtem ale member A and said member B is adapted to snugly fit between the plates l of the member A. The

members A and B adjacent similar ends are pivotally connected at 5, as hereinbefore re- 'lerred'to, said connection being toone' side of the transverse center of therii'iembers A and B or the center of tension and also slib? Vextended end portions being reduced in Awidth by 4transversely grooving the member B in' order to compensate for the pressed portion 3 of the plates l and to permit the insertion of a lever between the portion 3 of the member AV and the member B tojforce the members open. i

In the present embodiment of'my inveni tion, the free or extended end portion of the member B has pivoted, or otherwise engaged therewith, as at 7, a terminal portion of a side chain 8 of a nonskid device for tires or the like, although I do not wish to'be understood as limiting myself to the use of my improved connector with this particular element, as my invention can be employed with equal facility in connection with the terminal of a tug or trace member or inconnection with the top of an automobile and various other usages. Y

The pivoted end portion of the member B adjacent the pivotal connection 5 is pro# vided with an open end arcuate or kindred slot 9 having the connection 5 as a center. This slot 9 is open at the side marginal portion ofthemember B adjacent the pivotal connection 5 and said slot extends inwardly of themember B and toward the pivoted end portion thereof with the closed end of said slot terminating at the side of the transverse center of the member B remote from the pivotal connection 5, such closed ends forming a cove for the reception of a link or loop 10.

In practice, when it is desired to effecta connection, the member A is swung outwardly with respect to the member B whereupon tlie link or loop 10 of the opposite end portion of the side chain 8 is then swung inwardly of and toward the member B which draws the second terminal inwardly ward swinging iiioveinent, the teiisionofV the' side chain 8 or other member-or members" will automatically cause the member A, un-v der the influence of the tension of the chain Sor other member or members, to swing inwardly the remainder ofthe distance and during which movement the link or loop l() is received within the lslot-9 whereby the terminals of the chain 8 or other member or members are` effectively coupled and maintained in such relation. It is to be particuing the member A snugly engaging between thevplates l of the member B, interference with the requisite working of my improved device by mud or other foreign matter is practically eliminated'.`

- F rom the foregoing descriptionV it is thought to be obvious that a connector construeted in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facilityY with which it may be assembled and operated,[ a-nd'it will Valso be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change vand modification without departing fromk theprinciplesand spirit thereof and for thisreason I do'iiot wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formationof Athe several parts herein shown in carrying out my. invention in `practice except ashereinafter claimed. y

, I claim: Y Y

1. In a. chain fastener, aconnecting Vplate having a link receiving slot-'therein and Y a groove adiacentfthel mouth of said'slot,V

and a keepenpivoted to said connecting plate and adapted to close the mouth of said slotsaid keeper including spaced walls.

portions ofv which are pressed together at j the free end of the keeperrsaid portionsbe-` ing positioned above said groove when the keeper is in closed position and providing means to be gripped bv pliers for causing opening movement lof the keeper relative to the plate.

9.. In a lchain fastener, ka connectingplate i having a link receiving slot therein, land a keeper pivoted to said connecting plate and adapted to close the mouth of said slot, Ysaid keeper includingspaced walls. portions of which are pressed together atthe free fend. ofthe keeper to provide means to4 be gripped by pliers or rthe like for causing opening movement et the keeper relative jto the plate.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature. f i PAUL L- vARBLE-i 

